Young nervous over Splash! swimsuit

Paul Young has admitted to feeling concious about his body prior to his appearance on Splash!

Former chart-topper Paul Young has shown it is not just female contestants who are concerned about appearing in their swimwear on TV contest Splash! after he grumbled about being seen in bathers.

The singer, who tasted chart success three decades ago with hits such as Wherever I Lay My Hat, said his body was past the stage where he feels comfortable stripping for the cameras.

His comments come after contestants such as Toyah Willcox and Michaela Strachan voiced their unease about having to appear in skimpy outfits as they took part in the ITV1 show in which celebrities learn to high dive.

Speaking as he prepared for the show earlier this week, 58-year-old Young said he would have to put in more physical training to get his body looking right.

He said: " Swimwear on TV is something I should have done in my 20s. I think I might get a bit more physical training in before I get to the live dive. But I wouldn't say I'm hugely happy about it."

But Young - who has also been a contestant on Hell's Kitchen in recent years - also admitted that it was being pushed out of his comfort zone which was part of the appeal of the show.

"I wanted to take part because I think my life was getting a bit safe and when this opportunity came up I thought it would be something I could do for myself.

"I have a slight fear of heights, I've never been able to dive that well, so I thought it was a great thing to be able to do, and then perhaps I can surprise some friends on the next holiday,"

He will be seen taking part in the show against rivals such as Tory MP Penny Mordaunt and model Danielle Lloyd. They are competing for a place in the semi-finals of the show.